Cancer is a serious treat to the patients and their loved ones’ physical, psychological and spiritual well being. How can they befriend their situation? How can other people give them the support they need?

Prayer or meditation helps alleviating one’s spirit. Reading your sacred book helps you broaden your existential horizon. Discovering the world around you is also a healthy means to make the best of your current situation like, going for a walk, sitting outside, or ask someone to take you around to see beautiful scenery. Well intentioned people might invade your space. Suggest your loved ones to be your “gatekeepers”. When you feel tired of long visits, or start having lots of phone calls that tire you, your gatekeepers might gently protect you from unnecessary stress. Socialising, such as attending parties, meetings, going out for meals etc expose you to a wider reality. Conversing with others gives you new ideas of coping and can mince your situation with some humour. If you are an electronic literate you can encourage your friends to email you from time to time. Thus, you keep your friends’ circle going.

You, patient’s caregivers, need care too! The disease of your loved one is affecting you as well. You urgently need to care for yourselves. Prayer and meditation help you contextualise the care you are giving within a faith perspective. God is in command. Occasional outings with your friends make you savour life’s beauty. Sharing your story with your peers might open for you different avenues that can help you care for your loved one and yourself better. If you catch yourself being overwhelmed talk about your fears with friends, therapist, or a priest. Finally, asking help from other family members is fruitful for mutual strength, comfort and break from care-giving.

You volunteers have your contribution to give towards a healthy living with cancer. You might help by doing what patients tell you, like taking the person for a medical appointment or listening to their stories. Let the person free to talk and never to push the the subject yourselves.

When you feel that the person is getting tired just leave. Remember that brief and announced visits bring more comfort and healing to the sick person. Getting in touch through cards, emails, phone calls and visits are all healthy ways of showing care, provided that they are effected with great sensitivity to the person’s needs.

Living with cancer means making the best of the time there is available for the patient, the relatives and the volunteers to help. Let us live and care productively!

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap

San Gwann